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["Toni Hawryluk" <tonihawr AT msn.com>]

Sure is, for the criminal under that black robe up there on the dais...



http://famulus.msnbc.com/famulusgen/ap11-24-162320.asp?t=apnew&vts=112420041640<http://famulus.msnbc.com/famulusgen/ap11-24-162320.asp?t=apnew&vts=112420041640>

 

Lawyers for reporter convicted of contempt say health problems should spare 
him a lengthy sentence

By ELIZABETH ZUCKERMAN
ASSOCIATED PRESS

PROVIDENCE, R.I., Nov. 24 - Lawyers for a TV reporter convicted of criminal 
contempt for refusing to name a source asked Wednesday that he be sentenced 
to less than 30 days of home confinement, citing concerns over his health.

 

Jim Taricani of WJAR has had a heart transplant and takes medication to keep 
his body from rejecting the heart, the court filings said. A heart transplant 
specialist said in a letter to U.S. District Judge Ernest Torres that 
Taricani could also be at risk of infection and undue stress in prison. <>


In addition, Taricani suffers kidney problems and high blood pressure and has 
a pacemaker, the filings said. 


Taricani faces up to six months behind bars. Sentencing is set for Dec. 9. 


Barry Weiner, chief U.S. probation officer in Providence, responded by saying 
that Taricani would likely be placed in a chronic care clinic in the prison 
system, where he could be monitored. If he were assigned to the federal 
medical facility in Ayers, Mass., he could see kidney and cardiac transplant 
specialists at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center. 


But in his letter, Taricani's doctor said that medical center does not have a 
cardiac transplant program. 


Taricani was convicted last Thursday after refusing to disclose how he 
acquired a video of a former mayoral aide accepting a bribe. The tape was 
part of the federal government's corruption case against former Providence 
Mayor Vincent ''Buddy'' Cianci and others. 


Taricani is one of several journalists nationwide who are locked in First 
Amendment battles with the government over confidential sources. 


Taricani said on NBC's ''Today'' show Wednesday that he thinks the First 
Amendment is vital to the public's right to know. 


''I don't feel I'm above the law. I don't know any reporter that does feel 
that they're above the law. What we feel is that we are doing what the 
framers of our Constitution would want us to do. We are the watchdogs for the 
public,'' he said. 

 

© 2004 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be 
published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.